Facile one-pot combustion synthesis of CuCo2S4 binary nanocomposite for synergetic photodegradation of CR dye and reduction of nitroarenes

[Display omitted] •CuCo2S4 nanocomposites were prepared by combustion process and used to degrade CR dye.•Nano skull and nano branch morphology (ф=80.5–148 nm) were confirmed by SEM.•CuCo2S4 degraded CR dyes 91.2 % within 80 min.•CuCo2S4 nanostructures with S-containing groups and a narrow band gap enhance degradation.•Four-cycle wastewater treatment showed the stability and reusability of the CuCo2S4.•CuCo2S4 also exhibits good catalyst for reduction of nitrobenzene and 4-NP in SBH medium. A one-pot combustion method was employed for the synthesis of branch-like CuCo2S4 (CCS) without any surfactant, polymerizing, or capping agent. Most of the studies were conducted on CCS material for electrochemical performances. Herein, we demonstrated CCS is an efficient catalyst for the photodegradation of toxic CR dye and also, the reduction of nitroarenes. The cubic structural phase of the symphonized material was confirmed by using XRD analysis. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results interpret that the uniform skull-like structures were formed during the combustion method. The bandgap was about 1.41 eV, which was analyzed from UV–Vis DRS analysis. FT-IR confirms the presence of Cu-S, Co-S, and Cu-Co bonding. Photoluminescence (PL spectrofluorometer) is evidence, of the ability of electrons and hole recombination. A significant surface area and the pore diameter were found to be 4.072 m2/g and 34.75 nm respectively, by BET (Brunauer -Emmett-Teller) and BJH (Barret-Joyner-Halenda) analysis. Herein, we report CCS material, for the photodegradation of Congo red (CR) dye with a photodegradation efficiency of 91.2 % in 80 min (min). And retains its stability for up to 4- cycles. Further, CCS material also exhibits a good catalyst for the reduction of nitrobenzene and 4- nitro phenol (4-NP) with reduction rate constants of 0.07056 min−1 and 0.194 min−1. The degradation products were confirmed by using LC-MS, and TOC (Total Organic Carbon) analysis. These reports are evident that the synthesized CCS nanostructures are latent material for the removal of hazardous dyes from wastewater as well as catalyzed the reduction of nitrobenzene and 4-NP.